The aim of this article is to address the status of irregula immigration in Spain and provide a global overview of the system to protec undocumented migrant workers in the country. The article assesses th effectiveness of the immigration policies and laws adopted to avoid or reduc irregular migration flows towards Spain and the so-called sudden irregularity, tha is, the situation of immigrants who were initially granted residency bu subsequently lose that legal status. The study carried out by Dr Camas als assesses if the mechanisms to regularize irregular immigrants are achieving thei goals.Finally, the article analyses the issue of employment and social securit protection for irregular immigrants in Spain. Of special interest is the author' analysis of an employer's dismissal of an undocumented foreign worker, his socia security rights, or the restrictive system adopted with regard to healthcare fo undocumented foreigners. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved.

Irregular immigration Protection of undocumented migrant workers Healthcare for undocumented immigrants Labour rights of immigrants without legal status Sudden irregularity Social security for foreign workers without legal status

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